Quick Looks

Garmin's Oregon GPS
Hot on the heels of the Colorado line that was introduced only 6 months ago comes the Oregon line-up. Besides cosmetic differences, the main differentiator between these two units is the fact that the Colorado uses Garmin's "Rock 'n' Roll" click-wheel while the Oregon features a touch-screen interface to input data and make menu selections. While I've been a long-time fan of Garmin, the Oregon line, like the Colorado line, leaves me feeling ambivalent about the company's direction.

SPOT Satellite Messenger
At first glance, the SPOT Satellite Messenger sounds like a great safety device to keep you in touch with the outside world in the event of an emergency. But it has some pros and cons that potential buyers must carefully consider.

Garmin's New Colorado GPS Unit - A Quick Look
The Colorado appears to be the successor to the 60 and 76 series of handheld, outdoor GPS units. It is their top-of-the-line handheld outdoor system, featuring broad compatibility with their map data ranging from detailed topographic maps to turn-by-turn routable city maps. While the Colorado received some notable improvements over its predecessors, the question of whether it is a worthwhile upgrade is a difficult one to answer.

LEDSupply's Flashlight Upgrade Kits
LED technology is the biggest advance to hit flashlights since they were invented. You see them used everywhere, from new car tail lights to mini keychain lights. But what about your trusty Mag-Lite and other time-tested flashlights? Will you have to forsake ol' dependable to get into LED technology? Not at all! LEDSupply.com provides a wide variety of LED systems that can replace the conventional incandescent bulbs used in most flashlights.

Gilsson GPS Antenna
If you've got a GPS unit, you owe it to yourself to buy a Gilsson antenna. No matter how you use your GPS, it will dramatically improve signal reception and add greater versatility.

Photon Freedom Micro
It's been a while since we first looked at the Photon Micro-Light II and in the intervening years, Photonlight.com has improved the product. They now have the Photon Freedom Micro, a light that is the same size as the original but packed with more features.

Air Liquide M200 and M250 With the New Auto-Regulation Feature
Air Liquide is pleased to announce even more ability with the Air Liquide M200 & M250 GMAW Welding Machines! You can now order these machines with the new option of Auto-Regulation installed. These will be available for shipment January 1, 2004. This is a great feature for the customer and makes setting parameters easy!

Staun Tyre Deflators
Stop wasting your time airing down your tires one at a time! Staun Tyre Deflators can do the job faster AND more accurately.

2002

Hobart Hood
Attention all weldors: if you don't have an auto-darkening helmet, it's time to wake-up and step into the 21st century! The Hobart Hood is a high quality, affordable welding helmet that features a wide-view, auto-darkening lens that provides full eye protection while allowing use of both hands throughout the welding process.

Maasdam Pow'r-Pull
The lever operated winch: requiring no power source other than a person's arms, it can move heavy weights with very precise control. In this age of the affordable electric winch, the lever operated winch is still a very valuable tool that every fourwheeler should own.

Maasdam JackMateTM
I've had a Hi-Lift® jack for about as long as I've had my Jeep. And for all that time, I've known that Hi-Lift®, Tiger JackTM and Jackall® style jacks are essential pieces of off-road equipment. What I didn't know until recently is that my jack, which I have relied on all these years, was incomplete. That's right, it was missing a crucial component. That component is the Maasdam JackMate.

2001

Skid Row Automotive's Top Prop
For most soft-top 4x4 drivers, a bikini top is a must-have accessory. In fact, many of us use them year-round. They're light, easy to install/remove, and they take up virtually no room when rolled up and stowed. But there is one major drawback and everyone who uses this top knows exactly what it is: it collects water. Gallons of water. There is not one of us bikini top users who isn't familiar with the misery of having to drain the water from a sagging, stretched top.

Zodi Hot Tap Model 6140 Portable Hot Shower
One of the greatest inconveniences of wilderness camping is the inability to take a shower. Spend two or three days in the bush and personal hygiene goes right out the window. That's where the Zodi Hot Tap portable hot water shower comes in.

Cascadia Instrumentation Inclinometers
Ever get tired of hearing your buddy tell you about that 45 degree sidehill he conquered last week? You and I both know it was more like a 20 degree slope but how do you prove it? Well, Cascadia Instrumentation has the answer. They're a local company that sells inclinometers of all shapes and sizes. They carry industrial-grade, highly accurate gauges designed for real work, not for dressing up your dashboard.

Jackguard
The days of wrestling with your muddy, rusted, and jammed Hi-Lift jack (or JackAll for you Canadian readers!) are finally over. Jackguard.com has created a product called the Jackguard that protects your Hi-Lift from the elements, and your truck's interior from the Hi-Lift.